Lee Cook expects a rough reception when he runs out against his former club at Vicarage Road on Saturday - but he says it will be water off a duck's back, writes Robert Szmigielski.

The visit to Watford marks the first of three highlycharged London derbies for the Rs - the visit of Charlton in midweek is followed by a trip to Crystal Palace next weekend.

Cook expects fans to create electric atmospheres at each, but knows it will be a time for cool heads if Rangers are to come out of them with a healthy points total.

"There'll be a few not happy to see me, but I'm used to the stick they give me," said the Hoops winger. "I've dealt with it before, I've played there two or three times.

"I'm looking forward to the game, and I'll enjoy it. But it's more important we win to keep up with the chasing pack.

"It's great for the fans because they'll go down there, fill out their end, and make some noise. But from a footballing point-of-view, we have to be solid and calm and hope-fully get a result."

Rangers' need for a decent run of results is greater after Saturday's disappointing home defeat by a fired-up Burnley - Rangers' second home reverse of the season.

The Rs gained some useful clean sheets and early points under Gareth Ainsworth but successive defeats have left them a bit off the pace in the hunt for a top six place.

They have missed the suspended Mikele Leigertwood, who is at last able to return from suspension, but will have to do without Akos Buzsaky for the rest of the season - the Hungarian playmaker having damaged his knee in last week's Carling Cup tie at Man United.

"Akos' injury was a big shock and is devastating, not just for him but for us as a team," Cook conceded.

"He's a big player for us. I've had that injury myself and wish him a speedy recovery because it's a horrible injury to get. I'm sure he'll get through it."The board are looking to bring in a few players to strengthen things, but at the minute we've got to concentrate on the players that are here.

"We're struggling for goals, but you go through patches where you score three or four, and then you might not score for weeks."

The lack of finishing was evident last Saturday, with the Rs producing a lacklustre display against a Burnley side still buzzing from their giantkilling exploits at Stamford Bridge.

Dexter Blackstock's first goal in seven league games put QPR into a deserved lead after a bright opening 15 minutes, but Ainsworth's men were pegged back by Robbie Blake's thumping equaliser on 34 minutes.

Rangers then struggled to find their rhythm and were punished for their wastefulness by sub Alan Mahon, whose left-foot strike fizzed passed Radek Cerny on the hour.

Cook, however, believes positives can be taken from the performance, and predicts a reversal of fortunes, even if some are left unconvinced by the club's ambitions of promotion.

"We started well, and the tempo was high. If we'd gone in at half-time with the lead it would've been a different game, but they nicked a goal and starting gaining confidence," he said.

"The second half was more even and we put on a lot of pressure. A couple of penalty decisions didn't go our way and we deserved an equaliser. The chances were there for us.

"But it's going to start drop-ping for us, and I think you'll see a good run of results coming."

Manager: Malky Mackay Position last season: 6th Form Guide: The Hornets have lost their last five Championship fixtures and find themselves in the bottom three and with a caretaker boss following the dismissal of Aidy Boothroyd. At home, they have had three wins: v Charlton (1-0),Ipswich (2-1) and Preston (2-1) and three defeats: v Plymouth (1-2),Wolves (2-3) and Blackpool (3-4). There have been 2-2 draws against Reading and Cardiff. The one bright light has been the Carling Cup. They have a quarter-final tie at home to Spurs to look forward to after eliminating Bristol Rovers, Darlington,West Ham and Swansea. Players to look out for: Tommy Smith and John O'Toole lead the Watford goal charts.

Match Facts: Last year's win for Rangers at Vicarage Road ended a run of four successive defeats there. Martin Rowlands (2), Damion Stewart and Akos Buzsaky were on target in that triumph 11 months ago. The clubs are old adversaries, having met 103 times - the first encounters dating back to 1920. QPR are the only ones to have hit five in that time and they've done it twice. They beat Watford 5-2 away in 1963 and 5-1 at home in 1947.

Forecast: Rs aim to claim second away win of the season but may be held.

In Midweek

CHARLTON ATH

Loftus Road Tuesday 8pm Championship

Manager: Alan Pardew Position last season: 11th Form Guide: Pardew is under pressure as his team hover just a point above the relegation zone. They have won only once on their travels (1-0 at Doncaster) and been beaten at Watford (0-1), Preston (1-2),Crystal Palace (0-1), Cardiff (0-2) and Birmingham (2-3). Draws have come at Nottingham Forest (0-0),Ipswich (1-1) and Plymouth Argyle (2-2). They are at home to Sheffield United this weekend.

Players to look out for: Fulham winger Hameur Bouazza is attempting to resurrect his fortunes in a loan spell at the Valley.

Match Facts: Last season's 1-0 win for Rangers - Dexter Blackstock scored the winner - ended a run of four wins and a draw for Charlton at Loftus Road. Rangers were unbeaten in nine home v Charlton games before that sequence.

Forecast: Rs to get back to winning ways at home after the Burnley flop.